Jacked - The Complete Series Box Set (A Lumberjack Neighbor Romance) Page 56

  Further away, on the sand, we wouldn’t get the best view, but his comfort was more important than an old, rusty boat. "There it is," I told him, pointing towards the ship from where we were.

  "How old is it?"

  "It wrecked during the Second World War. The wind makes the water between here and Molokai, which is the island you can see over behind it, really choppy. There are a lot of reefs, too. Many more ships possibly went down here."

  "Huh, you guys must have a lot of ghosts," he quipped. I laughed.

  "Maybe a few," I said, looking out at the wreck. "I hope they're friendly."

  "What, like Casper?"

  "Yeah," I said. "Like Casper. They've been hanging out here since the war, and they just want to see what's changed. See if they can make new friends."

  "You know Casper is the ghost of a dead kid, don't you?" he said. I was about to say that he wasn’t when I thought about it.

  "That's so dark," I laughed.

  "It's true," he said, smirking. I smiled at the thought of him enjoying cartoons. He probably had as a child. It was sort of nice. It was humanizing, thinking about him in more and different contexts. He was an entire person; I had to remember that. This Nate, the one who was just a guy on vacation had all but completely replaced the image I had had of him as a celebrity in a band.

  I was really glad that I had gotten myself into babysitting him again. Anything that helped him with what he was going through. Besides the thing about his scars, he seemed pretty all right.

  "Are you okay?" I asked him carefully.

  "It's been a day and a half," he said, knowing exactly what I was referring to.

  "On a scale of one to ten? Ten being the worst and one being fine."

  "Four and a half," he said. "I guess it helps that the stuff's on the other side of the island and I couldn't get to it no matter how much I want to."

  "Did you... When I was gone, did you... You know," I stammered, not liking how accusatory I sounded.

  "Did I shoot up when you were gone this morning? No. When I called you, I'd just gotten up. I'm not even really sure where my kit even is," he said.

  "That's good," I said, brightly.

  "That's one way to put it. I'd never make you watch me doing that. It's sort of rude shooting up with company…unless you offer them some too," he said lightly.

  "Are you scared you'll use if you're alone too long?"

  "I know that is exactly what will happen," he said.

  "I was serious when I said I wanted to help you."

  "I know that. I'll keep telling you it's a bad idea until you finally believe me."

  "I still want to help you. We can do it together if you'll let me help you," I said.

  "Just a head's up, I'm sorry for every horrible thing I'm going to continue to say to you while I'm dope sick."

  "Thanks," I said smiling. "I forgive you." We watched the water for a few minutes. There was a turtle shuffling around in the shallows. "I was thinking of something," I said, looking at him.

  "Hit me."

  "Since you're most likely to use when you're alone, I was thinking we should make sure you don't have too much time on your own."

  "When I said you were babysitting me, I had been kidding," he said, smiling at me.

  "You don't need a babysitter, just support. Someone to talk you off the ledge when you feel like you might go over."

  "You’re right. I'm just giving you a hard time," he said. "You'll probably do a better job of keeping me out of trouble than I will anyway."

  Yeah. I would. That was what I wanted to do. Make sure he kept himself out of trouble. I wasn't suggesting we spend more time together because I wanted him to myself. No. That was so unprofessional; he was a guest at the hotel I worked at.

  It was my job to make sure his stay was as comfortable as possible. That was what I was doing. If that meant spending extended periods of time together, then that was a sacrifice I was happy and willing to make.

  I showed him the ancient petroglyphs, and he took a few pictures before we headed back to the hotel. He really needed to start getting up earlier; it was already evening when we got back. He had walked into the building before me. I was on my way to the changing room when I stopped, realizing he hadn’t gone straight up to his suite. He was at the front desk, talking to Makani and Joseph.

  That’s odd, I thought. What were they talking about? I walked over slowly, not wanting them to stop talking.

  “Abby is with us every summer. She’s a favorite with the guests. Nothing but good things to say about her,” Joseph was saying. I smirked, enjoying the praise since there was no way he’d openly praise me like that if I was alone.

  “I’m another happy customer. She’s been accommodating and helpful since I got here. Her knowledge of the island is impressive, as well. I’d like if she could continue as my personal guide while I’m here on the island,” Nate said.

  My eyebrows shot up. Yes. Yes, this was perfect. I continued my quiet approach till Makani noticed me and was the first to say hi.

  “Abby, we were just talking about you,” Nate said, smiling, looking over at me.

  “Mr. Stone wants you to be his personal guide for the remainder of his time with us,” Joseph said.

  “I’m happy to help in whatever way I can, Mr. Stone,” I said. “I’m always available here at the front desk.”

  “Wonderful,” Joseph gushed.

  I wanted to laugh. Nate could ask Joseph for anything, and he would give it to him. I smiled politely, trying not to give away how excited I was. I didn’t have to spend hours away from Nate wondering whether his craving had overcome him.

  What made me even more excited, though, was the fact that I was getting to hang out with him more. Just the two of us.

  I knew it was early, but this was so new, and it already felt so deep. I knew what I felt for Nate, beyond wanting to help him. I loved that feeling of raw intimacy and closeness we had shared on the beach. I couldn’t wait to experience that with him again.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Nate

  It was day six. A record. This was the longest number of consecutive days that I had not put any drugs in my body.

  According to the sites that Abby had read, I was probably still only just halfway through detox, but I was already feeling a lot better. It probably wasn't even that good if I was comparing it with how normal people felt every day, but I was coming off an addiction. Every minute I wasn't throwing up with a headache was good.

  Abby might have had something to do with that; she probably did.

  I was getting more clean, fresh air, sleeping full nights, and eating regular meals again, but I didn't hate having her around. She was great. She used a hands-on approach, and it worked. We'd spent every single night together in my suite. I knew where she lived and that it was no problem for her at all to get there every night, but the company was good. Her company specifically was very good. I liked having her around.

  Most of the time, she was gone when I'd get up. She woke up so early, all the time. I knew she had to for work, but I didn't get it. I think I’d rather find a different job. That morning, I woke up while she was shuffling around the room getting dressed.

  I watched her for a little while. She slept in my t-shirts, and her nipples poked through them because she didn’t wear a bra to sleep. They looked a hell of a lot better on her than they did on me. She was pulling it over her head to put her bra on.

  That tight little body was doing great things for my recovery. Back when I was touring with Remus, I had had no problem pulling chicks. Groupies practically begged us to let them give it up.

  When I was using hardcore, chasing tail had pretty much gone out the window. Being a junkie was like a full-time job. You couldn’t do anything when you were using because when you weren’t using, you were just thinking about and planning for the next time that you were going to use.

  Abby wasn’t like that, though. It wasn’t cheap and anonymous with her. It was fantastic.
She was as sexy as she was beautiful, sweet, and caring. Even if I wasn’t trying to distract myself from using, I’d still absolutely go after her.

  Her pussy wasn’t like the antidote to my addiction. I was still going a little crazy, and the withdrawal was doing ugly and painful things to my body, but it would probably be a lot worse if she wasn’t supporting me.

  I wished there was something I could give her to say thanks. Something told me she wasn’t looking for the shit I’d usually been able to impress girls with in the past. She was so nice, she’d probably decline anything I tried to give her, saying just helping me was enough of a reward.

  We needed to keep her somewhere safe under glass because that kind of honest sweetness had to be something that was running out in the world. She was rare. When would I ever meet someone like her again?

  I watched her pull a pair of shorts over her ass. She hadn’t put her uniform on. She glanced over at me and jumped a little, realizing I was awake.

  “I was trying not to wake you,” she said.

  “I thought you hated how late I sleep in,” I said.

  “Go back to sleep. I just need to go clock in at work,” she said.

  “Are you coming back?” I asked.

  “Yes. Wait for me here. I’ll come back,” she said.

  “Your boss said I could have you as long as I wanted.”

  “This is why I wanted to leave while you were still asleep,” she said walking over to the bed. She kissed me on the forehead and ran her fingers through my hair. “I’ll be right back.” I watched her leave the bedroom and heard her close the door behind her.

  Oh, right. She was still working. She still had a job. I was the one on vacation. She wasn’t. That isn’t very fair, I thought. Even if nobody was forcing her to be here with me, she was still working. She just did shit for me all day, what the hell had I done for her?

  I wanted to give her something. What did she like? I got out of bed and looked for my phone. I went to the living room, looking for the pamphlets Abby had dropped off what felt like so long ago. There had to be something in there that we hadn’t done together. Not exploring, not a beach or a historical sight, something else.

  I wanted to go out with her. A date.

  I wanted to spoil her. She didn’t have to worry about picking a place and making sure I liked it. She could let that be my problem for once.

  I was just getting off the phone with the restaurant when she came back into the room. I was out on the deck. She came into the bedroom looking for me with a tray in her hands.

  “I brought food,” she said sweetly.

  “Bring it out here,” I called. She walked over, and I took the tray from her, putting it down on a small table out on the deck. I pulled up two deck chairs for us. It was a really nice day, warm and sunny without a cloud in the sky. I had seen dolphins in the ocean as I had talked on the phone.

  She pulled the cloches off the plates. She’d brought eggs, bacon, toast, pastries…a little of everything.

  “I thought I’d find you asleep again,” she said, nibbling at a croissant.

  “I’m trying something new,” I said. “I’m not really as tired anymore. It’s great.”

  “That’s good news.”

  “Mm-hmm, now you can get off my back for sleeping so much.”

  “That’s only a bad thing when we have somewhere to go,” she laughed.

  “Did you have somewhere in mind?”

  “Nope,” she said. “I think we’re running out. Did you want to go somewhere specific?”

  “Yes. I want to take you out,” I said.

  “Where?”

  “Dinner. I made us a reservation.”

  “You don’t need to make reservations here; you’re a guest.”

  “Not at the resort. It’s a surprise,” I said, smirking.

  “That’s my line,” she said, smiling. “I thought I was the tour guide here.”

  “You’re off duty today. We can leave around ten.”

  “That’s a little late for dinner,” she remarked.

  “Not tonight. In a couple hours. I love those shorts on you, but you can’t wear them where we’re going,” I said.

  “Where is it? Now you have to tell me. Is it somewhere fancy?” she asked.

  I shrugged my shoulders, eating my breakfast. The tables were turned now. She used to drive me crazy not telling me where we were going when she’d take me out. She waited for me to get ready, and I called a car to take us into the city.

  This wasn’t LA. We weren’t exactly spoiled for choice when it came to places to shop, but that was sort of a good thing. I didn’t know how Abby would be in a boutique, but just in case she was one of those girls who didn’t know when to stop when you gave her a credit card, it was good there were just a few places we could go.

  But really, I owed her so much more than a dress and some fucking shoes. I wouldn’t stop her if she really wanted to cut loose. She deserved it. She had put up with my ass without a single complaint for weeks now. She definitely deserved it.

  “What are we doing here?” she asked, when we got to the store.

  “The place we’re going tonight has a dress code,” I said, holding the door open for her. “I want you to get something.”

  “I can’t afford this place, Nate.”

  “It’s on me. Pick whatever you want,” I said. She ran her hand down a dress hanging on a rack to her right, sighing.

  “You don’t need to do all this. Taking me out somewhere is already too much,” she said.

  “I want to, Abby. Just let me do this for you. I want to.”

  She bit her lip, thinking. “Just one. The cheapest they have.”

  “A whole outfit. Shoes and accessories, too. Budget is unlimited.”

  “Nate,” she whined.

  “Okay, two outfits,” I said, taunting her. She made a cute frustrated face.

  “You’re making fun of me.”

  “You’re throwing my generosity back in my face. That hurts, Abby,” I said, dramatically putting my hand over my chest.

  “It’s too much.”

  “I’ll decide when it’s too much,” I insisted. I picked a dress off the rack nearest to us. It was pink. It would look good with her tan. “I like this; try it on,” I said, holding it out to her. She took it and checked the price. I saw her eyes widen.

  “Is everything all right?” a cheerful shop assistant asked, coming over to us.

  “Can we get that in her size please?” I asked. “We’re celebrating tonight, and I want her to wear something special.”

  “That actually looks like it might fit,” she said, taking the dress from Abby. I smiled smugly. “Go to the dressing room, and I’ll pull a few more for you. Is there a certain style you’re looking for?”

  “Nothing too over the top,” Abby said.

  “I want every guy in the room to lose their minds when they look at her,” I said. The shop assistant laughed and said she’d see what she could find. Abby was frowning up at me.

  “I can’t take all this from you, Nate,” she said. I cupped her face and kissed her softly.

  “You’re not taking anything. I’m giving it to you. If I had my way, I’d buy up this entire store for you. You gave me my life back, Abby. I owe you the world for that. Let me buy you a fucking dress. Please. It’ll make me feel like I deserved any single minute that you’ve spent with me.”

  She chewed on her lip before finally conceding. I kissed her forehead and let her go to the changing room.

  She let me pick for her. She was getting really flustered and overwhelmed with all the different choices; it was cute. The one I picked eventually was short, with no sleeves, and was white with these big, bright, pink flowers over it. Her legs looked amazing in it — of course, she was a knockout in everything I had ever seen her wear — but it reminded me of her personality: bright and beautiful.

  I convinced her to get ready in my suite with me, suddenly getting a little nervous. It started to feel lik
e a real date, like I really wanted to impress her. This was more than just a thank you. I wanted her to know what she’d done for me and this was the only way I knew how.

  The restaurant was at an old, restored plantation house that had been turned into this countryside lodge. Abby had been trying to guess where we were going the entire short trip from the hotel. She never did.

  It wasn’t really her scene, I realized. She worked at a five-star resort, but she was so detached from the world that the people who stayed at places like that belonged to. From my world, I guess.

  It was nice, I guess. I knew now as an adult that not everybody had gotten to live the way that I had, and not everybody’s father was Nathaniel Stone II, but this sort of scene was my everyday reality. I was lucky I had managed to stay this way so long, but like anything you experience long enough, it became sort of regular. Boring almost.

  Not for Abby, though. If she liked it, then it was good. That was all I wanted.

  “I can’t believe you got a reservation here; it’s so expensive,” she said, taking my arm as we went up the stairs to enter the building.

  “Have you been before?”

  “Never. I’ve heard about it a lot, though. It’s incredible,” she said, looking around the lobby at the furnishings and decorations.

  Yeah. It was pretty nice. I liked how much she seemed to like it. Looked like she was one of those girls who I could impress with shiny things, after all. It wasn’t gross and gold-diggerish with her, though. She seemed genuinely impressed that I had brought her here. Like if I had gotten her a ring or something, she’d thank me and say it was beautiful. She wouldn’t take it to a jeweler to figure out the karat value and tell her friends, that sort of thing.

  I liked it. She was so unspoiled. She’d managed to get to her twenties somehow without becoming completely jaded and cynical. Maybe by the time I was heading back to LA, some of that will have rubbed off on me.

  A maître d’ greeted us at the door of the restaurant and led us inside. I heard Abby’s breath catch as we stepped into the room. I smiled. It was perfect.

  I had asked for the entire restaurant. I had had to talk to three different people before they finally agreed to do it. I had asked for low, scattered light and one table. The light coming from the ceiling fixtures was warm and gentle, and around the room were standing lanterns, so it was like the sort of light you got a sunset, but inside.